Rep. Adam Wool

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see many of you at a constituent meeting hosted by Rep. Grier Hopkins and myself, and I’d like to thank everyone who came out for sharing their concerns with us. I think it’s fair to say that almost everyone in attendance was in favor of maintaining current levels of funding for state services, especially K-12 education and the University. People voiced a willingness to receive a….

Greetings from Juneau. It’s been a busy week. I’ve heard from many of you over the last week about the Governor’s budget- thank you for reaching out to me. Let’s continue the conversation this Sunday at a community meeting: Myself and Rep Grier Hopkins (Dist 4) will be hosting a community meeting this Sunday at the Blue Loon from 2:30-4pm. We will give you our take what’s happening, or not happening, in Juneau right now.

The House finally organized into a majority/minority structure this week by giving Rep. Bryce Edgmon from Dillingham enough votes to become Speaker of the House. He was the speaker for the last two years and I look forward to working with him again as a member of the majority.

I’m back in Juneau for session and although this session has started out in a most unusual way it is good to be here. The House hasn’t organized into a majority/minority structure yet as many of you know, but hopefully it will be happening soon. Once a majority is formed and a speaker is chosen we will all get our committee assignments. The one bill we all work on, and that must be passed by law, is the budget. We aren’t expected

I hope that you and your family enjoyed a happy new year and are getting through the cold and dark of Fairbanks this month. This special edition newsletter is to notify you of my neighborhood survey, which has been sent to everyone in District 5. If you have not yet filled out the survey and would like to, please check out the link below so that you can share your thoughts on State government with me. I appreciate your feedback!

The session for the 31rst Alaska State Legislature will begin on January 15, 2019. This is the time when legislators, both newly elected and re-elected, begin to prioritize their efforts for the coming year. A lot still remains to be seen about the election process, as the outcome of the race in House District 1 in Fairbanks is yet to be determined. This race will determine what the State House, and the Legislature as a whole, will look like. No matter who is in charge, there are a few issues I plan to focus on during my time in Juneau this year. While quick fixes don’t exist for the challenges we face, the following will be my priorities to work on this year

Fairbanks – Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed a bill into law this evening allowing utilities in Alaska to create low-interest financing programs to help customers make energy efficiency improvement to their homes and businesses. House Bill 374, sponsored by Representative Adam Wool (D-Fairbanks), allows utilities to offer low-interest loans to customers with payments added to existing utility bills.

Anchorage – Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed legislation today that includes measures to protect the growing hospitality industry in Alaska. Senate Bill 45 includes a provision to allow Alaska’s historic roadhouses to continue operating as they have for decades. The provision was originally included in a bill sponsored by Representative Adam Wool (D-Fairbanks) that passed the Alaska House of Representatives but didn’t pass the Alaska State Senate. In the closing hours of the legislative session, the language to protect Alaska’s historic roadhouses was amended into SB 45, a bill that deals with contractors and home builders